Recommended for You!

My favorite art supplies, books, and more!

There are so many art supplies I’d love to try, but in the meantime, I do have some favorites. Below are brands/supplies I go back to again and again.  Click on the image for easy ordering from Amazon.com.  Prices are approximate as Amazon pricing sometimes changes.

These are affiliate links, which means if you purchase something through a link on this page, I’ll receive a small amount of compensation from Amazon. But you’ll see there are not a lot listed here. That’s because I’ll only recommend the ones that I have tried and enjoy using, not everything they have to offer. Also, some of what I use (such as watercolor paints) are not available on Amazon, so I purchase them from online art supply stores. I’ll be posting links to those products soon.

Drawing Pads

Canson XL Mix Media Spiral Pad – 7 inches x 10 inches (17.8 cm x 25.4 cm)

I purchased my first Canson Mix Media pad about two years ago, and I love it! My kids (teens and up) all love using them too. So far, I’ve used them with pencil, pen, and watercolors. I also really like the spiral binding — it allows you to lay the book flat. Pages can be easily removed.

About $8.00 (USD)

 

Canson Mix Media Pad – 9 inches x 12 inches (22.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

About $10.00 (USD)

 

 

 

Strathmore Sketchbook – 9 inches x 12 inches (22.9 cm x 32.5 cm)

If you are just using pencil, a Strathmore sketchbook is a good choice. Spiral binding is my preference, as it allows you to lay the book flat.

About $9.00 (USD)

 

Colored Pencils

Prismacolor Colored Pencil Sharpener

I usually use an electric pencil sharpener for my drawing pencils, but it’s much too hard on the soft points of Prismacolor colored pencils. You’ll end of sharpening down your pencil to almost nothing before you get a nice point that won’t break off. So when my art students needed a sharpener, I went to our local art and hobby store and found this one. I love it! It’s gently on the pencils and won’t break the tips.

About $7.00 (USD)

 

Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Prismacolor makes some of my favorite colored pencils. They are soft, which means it’s difficult to keep a good point on the tip. But it also means that they blend really well! Use them to achieve  both a traditional colored-pencil look as well as one with full, vibrant colors. This is a set of 48.

About $28.00 (USD)

 

 

Prismacolor colored pencils – set of 72.

About $40 (USD)

 

 

Prismacolor Verithin Colored Pencils

Verithins are Prismacolor’s hard core colored pencils. Each will sharpen to an ultra-fine point for creating details. A good set to have along with your regular Prismacolors. This is a set of 36.

About $20 (USD)

 

 

Pens

 

 

Watercolors

Niji Watercolor Set

I often purchase this set when working with younger students. It’s inexpensive, and it gives them experience using wet paint from a tube. And they are always thrilled to try them! Not recommended for an older student or someone who is serious about learning how to paint with watercolor. 18 colors in this set.

About $6.00 (USD)

 

 

Watercolor Paper